"Do I count as a volunteer?"We will need people that:
1.) can play Receiver on a relatively fast computer, and record their games.
2.) have some writing skills, and plenty of imagination
3.) can do some amateur voice acting

and at least one guy that:
4.) has access to video editing software and can put each video together in the end.

"So what's your idea, then?"Lots of people record themselves playing Receiver, from first spawn to death. Interesting playthroughs of the right length are picked out. A script is written for each life: a developed character is suddenly inserted, alone, into the scenario presented by the game Receiver. The script is written to go along with what is happening in that life's screen recording. A voice actor then records that character narrating his or her storyline, from spawn to death. The video is put together, showing prospective players both the gameplay and intensity of Receiver.

"So how do we do it?"

1.) Recorders:
Given problems with lag, the best case scenario would be a relatively fast computer on nice looking settings, but given bugs in the current version, this may not be possible. If you can record it at a minimum of 24 fps, 800x600 (not sure about these, advice for quality levels appreciated). Using a screen recording software will slow your computer down a bit more. A way to turn of the HUD (# of cassettes absorbed) will be helpful. Record with zdsoft or fraps, or another gamescreen recorder. We'll have to find a way to share all the videos, probably dropbox. Loading lag can be removed post-production by the editor. Record the audio of the game, not your mic.
We're looking for storyline. Your recordings should be open-ended, but there are some ways you can add character to a playthrough. First off, most characters would be disoriented. A veteran soldier may not be, and would understand his gun right away; however, he wouldn't be used to limited ammo and would run out at too soon. Another character, a suburban woman, learns quickly and is determined to escape, but is not used to avoiding danger. Please post descriptions of characters you brainstorm.
Tools: http://taksi.sourceforge.net/http://www.zdsoft.com/http://www.fraps.com/https://www.dropbox.com/

2.) Writers
First off, you will be giving some structure to the people recording by developing characters and describing how they would act; explain how they would be played. This isn't necessary, but will make the final product a little better. The important part is writing word-for-word scripts for the voice actors. These scripts should also include timing; they are matched to the video recording you are writing them for. Scripts should be shared using public google documents. Character suggestions should be put in this forum, as well as added to this character list: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KBv ... iERvg/edit
Tools: http://docs.google.com

3.) Voice Actors
Anyone with a clear mic and an ability to speak with emotion, and take on whatever character it is. We'll need multiple people; the characters can't have all the same voices. Share more than one of your recordings, just in case. The script will be written in coordination with the video. You'll have both when recording. Timing is important, but different sections can be cut apart and put together by the editor. Think about vocal reactions to surprises in the video. Record with audacity, then share with dropbox. If you're obviously a kid, and the character isn't a kid, don't even try.
Tools: http://audacity.sourceforge.net/https://www.dropbox.com/

4.) The Editor
We need someone to put each video together. This shouldn't be too time-consuming. You'll start with the script, the video, and the voice recording. You might have to cut the audio apart to match it to the video based on the script. You'll probably have to crop the whole thing to get rid of the text at the top right and whatever recording watermarks there are at the top. An impressive opening graphic complete with the name of the specific video/character would be nice, and would tie all the videos together, but is not at all necessary. You upload the final ones to youtube on an account dedicated to this project.
Tools: whatever video editor you have access to. Hopefully not MovieMaker or iMovie.

One person or group can do this whole process, or you can collaborate through this thread. Final videos have to be all together, formatted the same and uploaded to the same youtube account.

Please respond if you can help in any of these ways. Any suggestions and ideas are appreciated.

Sounds like a really awesome thing, if executed properly. Everyone plays Receiver a little different. I kind of ambush/stealth the enemies, while I've seen some people take really ballsy, gung ho tactics and do just as well with them, with practice.
Would be pretty cool to see a sort of character and story driven thing arise. The player is the character, essentially, so there's actually a lot of room for some role playing here. If you get the people for it, I'd say give it a shot. It'll be interesting, if not awesome.

I'll be observing this with a vague interest too. It looks nice. I could probably help with all four parts of the project (although my writing style will probably not fit the intended theme), but I am in an inspirationless, motivationless, chaotic type of mood/environment and will certainly not be of very much help for a while.

I will however stand in backup in case any phase comes just one collaborator short.

We've got videos to record (plenty of starter characters) and a few scripted videos already.

Also, I've been thinking that the storytelling would be less redundant from video to video if we started off the story/recording after the character's been in the universe for a bit. It would skip the initial "where am I?" everyone would do and would explain how they know how to use the gun.

Actually, I believe Receiver is open. The entire Unity project is floating around somewhere, just waiting for someone to add an M16 or something. We could do extras in gameplay, if we really wanted.
But yeah, could do it in Blender too. Might not be as novel, but more variety would be open.

My main problem right now is that there don't seem to be any material files associated with, say, the stationary_turret_fixed.fbx

I might just not be finding it, but even if I did i wouldn't know how to bring it into blender. It'd be nice if there was one place where stuff like this was explained. I'm brand new to using blender with other people's files.

I'm converting the .fbx to .obj with the free autodesk converter, then importing them into blender 2.6. I can fix the bug where the non-existant material is overriding any i assign to the meshes, but then I have to re-texture the whole thing myself.